This is our sixth joyful Sunday of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. These later Sundays of Easter focus on the Last Discourse of John’s Gospel: Jesus’ prayer of unity for his disciples, and his promise of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. . . The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. . . Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
What leaps out to me in today’s Gospel are the words: Whoever loves me. Whoever loves me will keep my word. My Father will love whoever loves me. And we will come to dwell with whoever loves me.
This is the Christian breakthrough! Whoever loves me, that is, whoever puts faith in Jesus Christ enters into a new intimate relationship not only with Jesus but also with his Father. The mysterious God from whom the Old Testament prophets hid their eyes now dwells intimately within the believer. This indwelling is the Holy Spirit, and a gift of this indwelling is peace.
Whoever loves me! This intimate indwelling of God’s Spirit is not reserved for a select, elite few but for anyone who will keep God’s word. This was groundbreaking at the time of the early Church. We see in the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles a change in the attitude that new Gentile Christians were required to first undergo the initiation rites of Judaism, that is, circumcision.
The apostles and elders sent representatives to meet Paul and Barnabas at Antioch to discuss this matter. This is the result of that meeting:
“It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right.”
This decision of openness by the leaders of the early Church echoes well Jesus’ teaching from today’s Gospel. God dwells intimately within anyone who loves God. The Church is the community of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. And in this Church shines the light of Christ.
6th Sunday of Easter Entrance Antiphon Proclaim a Joyful Sound and Let it Be Heard (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #102
“Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia.” This antiphon text from Isaiah 48 underscores the teaching of today’s readings: All people are called to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Entrance Chant Come to the Lord (Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek)
Spirit & Song #244; Never Too Young #66
With text based on today’s Gospel from John 14, this popular song will complement the Entrance Antiphon well, for those communities who choose to sing both.
Rite of Sprinkling Come to the River (Bob Hurd)
Spirit & Song #51; Never Too Young #241; Breaking Bread #643
Bob Hurd’s song from Mass of Glory is another familiar option for the Easter season Rite of Sprinkling.
Responsorial Psalm O God, Let All the Nations Praise You (Thomas Muglia)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 216
Thomas Muglia’s modern verbatim setting of Psalm 67 emphasizes what we learn today about the universality of the Christian message.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of St. Mary Magdalene (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 218
Sarah Hart’s Mass of St. Mary Magdalene is an easily learned contemporary setting. This Alleluia acclamation text is taken from today’s Gospel.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts One Sacrifice of Christ (Rick Modlin and Robert Feduccia)
Spirit & Song #189; Breaking Bread #196
Our singing of this song for the Ascension helps us to look forward to the great solemnity that we will celebrate in a few days.
6th Sunday of Easter Communion Antiphon If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #103
This antiphon text is taken from the Last Discourse in the Gospel of John.
Communion Chant I Will Choose Christ (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Song #220; Never Too Young #261; Breaking Bread #495
Tom Booth’s contemporary classic can be sung as our response to Jesus’ call to love. “I give my heart, I give my life, I give my all to you.”
Sending Forth Alleluia! Love Is Alive (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Song #177; Breaking Bread #189
We’re still in the Easter season! Let’s continue to sing our Easter carols.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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